Saltfish
Looking for a source for Jamaican style saltfish. Craving Ackee and Saltfish, Cabbage and Saltfish, etc. Any markets in SF/ San Jose area? Thanks.
By Csteelman
on Oct 5, 2009 10:43 PM
San Francisco Bay Area
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By Csteelman
on Oct 5, 2009 10:43 PM
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You might ask the people at Back-A-Yard or Sweet Fingers where they buy their stuff, maybe there's something closer to San Jose.
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Back A Yard Caribbean American Grill
1189 Willow Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Oriental Lucky Mart
535 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607
Art's Jamaican Market (now Minto's)
4042 Broadway, Oakland, CA
Sweet Fingers
464 E 14th St, San Leandro, CA 94577
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Jack's Market in Oakland has it also
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You mean Jack's Meat's in the replacement for Housewives Market?
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Yes. There's a front counter near the street that has saltfish and other such items. They also have a few veggies like real yams. Their focus is more African than Carribean.
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If you wanna prepare this yourself, don't worry... you'll be able to find the fish in many places.
If you wanna find it prepared FOR YOU... well, I can't really help you out.
FYI:
"Saltfish" (Caribbean) is "Bacalao" (Latin America & Philipines) = "Salted Cod" (Nova Scotia) = "Baccala" (Italian) -- it's Cod fish preserved with sea salt, dried & can then be stored w/ out refrigeration) for long periods of time.
Unfortunately, Ackee is rarely bought fresh by restaurants. Though it's canned, it's very expensive. Grace is a very common brand from J.A. that sells this pricey product.
There's nothing like fresh ackee... It's probably a lost cause, but good luck finding it (fresh) on the West Coast!
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AFAIK it is still illegal to sell fresh ackee in the US. The only ways you'd be able to obtain it would be either from backyard trees in Florida or by smuggling some from the Caribbean. Even the canned was illegal until recently, when the FDA started monitoring the processing plants overseas to make sure the fruit was being processed properly, ensuring safe levels of hypoglycin in the finished product.
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Are you sure about it being illegal (until recently) as a canned product? I've seen it for at least 5 yrs. on the shelf of my Brooklyn (PATHMARK) Supermarket. And there are certainly a fair share of J.A. restaurants in NYC that serve fresh ackee... so, someone at JFK or LGA customs is screwin' up -- No complaints here... This is the ONLY case I condone the "Stop Snitching" campaign 'cuz fresh ackee is SO good! LOL
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Salt fish and ackee is always on the menu at Hibiscus. it's also on their happy hour menu.
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